Gallery of Mandonator™ Instruments
= Mandonator™ Serial #5 ===
This instrument was commissioned by multi-instrumentalist David Hansen. He posted the following comment about it on Mandolin Cafe: "I am the proud owner of Mandonator™ #5 ... I must say that the instrument is absolutely gorgeous and the craftsmanship is top notch. What really grabs your attention, though, is the tone: it has a very mellow, sweet tone that also has plenty of volume and presence to it. It's effortless to play, as well, but what I really like about it is the tone; it has a very unique voice."
The options he chose are:
- Four strings with standard 13.875" mandolin scale
- Mahogany body with black ebony binding
- No cutaway
- Two round soundholes with ebony linings
- Mahogany neck
- Ebony fingerboard
- Abalone fingerboard position markers
- Black ebony headstock veneer with abalone star inlay
- Banjo-shaped head
- Nickel plated hardware
- Gold Star banjo tuners
- Resonator guitar-style stamped tailpiece
Standard features include:
- Spherically arched back
- Radiused fingerboard
- Spider bridge and resonator cone
- Maple saddle
- Bone nut
- Glossy lacquer finish by Addam Stark of Santa Cruz
Body and neck of mahogany; ebony binding.
David requested a banjo-shaped head and banjo tuners.
I machined the soundhole liners out of a single piece of solid ebony. The liners incorporate internal reinforcing flanges.
The use of ebony on the soundhole liners, binding, fingerboard, headstock, heel cap, and tuner buttons provides a very unified effect.
You can see photos of this instrument under construction on its Shop Talk page.